EP0899648A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Computer architecture with automatic disabling of hardware/software features using satellite positioning data
Assignee: Compaq Computer Corp
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Filing: 1998-08-25
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2018-08-25
Abstract
Abstract A method of automatically adjusting a computer system, particularly for enabling/disabling automatic encryption engines/algorithms is disclosed using the Global Positioning System for country/locale verification and compliance with US federal or other governmental encryption export statutes.
Inventors
- 👤 Sompong P. Olarig
- 👤 Derace M. Fridel
- 👤 Michael F. Angelo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 13:35
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/02; G08B13/14; G08B13/1409; G08B13/1418; G06; G06F; G06F21/00; G06F21/50; G06F21/57; G01; G01S; G01S19/00; G01S19/01; G01S19/13; G01S19/14; G06F2211/00; G06F2211/007; G06F2221/00; G06F2221/21; G06F2221/2111
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A computer system comprising: a microprocessor operatively connected to detect inputs from an input device; a
memory which is connected to be read/write accessible by said microprocessor;
input/output circuitry operatively connected to said microprocessor; and a wireless locator device which comprises a receiver receptive to at least one
worldwide positioning system, and which is operatively connected to communicate current
location information to at least one component of said system; said computer system being automatically adjusted dependent upon said current
location information.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer system of claim 1, wherein said automatic adjustment comprises
disablement of at least one operational feature of the computer system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The computer system of Claim 2, wherein said operational feature is a software
application.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer system of Claim 1, wherein said automatic adjustment includes
enablement or disablement of a cryptographic algorithm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer system of Claim 4, wherein said cryptographic algorithm uses more
than 56-bit encryption.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer system of Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein said cryptographic algorithm
is an encoding algorithm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer system of Claim 1, wherein said automatic adjustment comprises
adjustment of a hardware computational capability.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
The computer system of Claim 1, including one or more microprocessors and
wherein said microprocessor or said microprocessors collectively have a maximum
performance of more than a first value based upon a computer performance standard, and
said automatic adjustment comprises limiting the microprocessor or microprocessors
collectively to a lower mode of performance less than said first value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer system of Claim 8, comprising multiple microprocessors operatively
connected to comprise a parallel processing architecture.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer system of any of Claims 1 to 9, wherein said wireless locator device
comprises a receiver receptive to Global Positioning System signals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer system of any of Claims 1 to 9, wherein said wireless locator device
comprises a receiver receptive to Differential Global Positioning System signals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer system of any of Claims 1 to 11, wherein said wireless locator
device is connected so that said computer system becomes inoperative if said locator
device is removed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer system of any of Claims 1 to 12, wherein said wireless locator
device is integrated into a system board of said computer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
The computer system of any of Claims 1 to 13, wherein said computer system is
programmed to apply a spatial margin of error to said location data, to avoid errors when
the computer is in close proximity to a country's border, before said automatic adjustment.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
31 words
A method of operating a computer system, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving location data from a locator device; and (b) automatically adjusting said computer system based upon said location data.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the step of automatically adjusting said computer
system comprises: disabling or enabling a feature of said computer system.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of Claim 16, wherein said feature is a software feature.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of Claim 16, wherein said feature is an application request for
execution of a cryptographic algorithm.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of Claim 16, wherein said feature is a hardware feature.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the step of automatically adjusting said computer
system comprises: conditionally limiting the maximum performance ofa computer to less than a first
value defined by a computer performance standard.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
20 words
The method of any of Claims 15 to 20, wherein said automatic adjustment is
included within a Power-On Self-Test procedure.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
23 words
The method of any of Claims 15 to 21, wherein the step of receiving location data
comprises receiving said data by wireless communication.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of Claim 22, wherein the step of receiving location data comprises
receiving Global Positioning System signals.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of Claim 22, wherein the step of receiving location data comprises
receiving Differential Global Positioning System signals.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
43 words
The method of any of Claims 15 to 24, which includes applying a spatial margin
of error to said location data, to avoid any possible errors when the computer is in close
proximity to a country's border, before automatically adjusting said computer system.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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